Zechariah 10: The Lord’s Shepherd Care

​Key verses
6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
 
Meditation
The Lord’s compassion compels His shepherd care. Jesus had compassion on the crowds because “they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). As the good shepherd (John 10:10-15) Jesus knows, gathers, feeds, guards, and leads His sheep.
 
Shepherding is ancient imagery for a king, appropriated to the God of Israel who is the king of kings. Last week’s Zechariah reading previewed the coming king and this week’s reading portrays the coming king’s shepherd heart. Israel had been scattered among the nations, harassed and helpless in exile. The Lord Himself promised to lead Israel safely to the green pastures of His promised blessings.
 
“I will bring them back because I have compassion on them,” says the Lord (v. 6). The people were afflicted by unfaithful shepherds (v. 2) and God’s anger burned hot against their selfish leadership (v. 3). God promised to replace the imposters (v. 4), defeat enemies (v. 6), and return His scattered people to the safety of God’s secure name (vv. 7-12). God promises a cornerstone who will bear the load of His people as a “battle bow,” their champion warrior who is the absolute ruler (v. 4).
 
The scattered people of God longed for covenant blessings (v. 1). God alone provides true blessings (v. 1) and gives victory Israel needs (v. 7). Jesus is the ultimate shepherd king who faithfully provides these realities, blessings through His covenant faithfulness and victory through His work.  Our Good Shepherd laid down His life so His people can have abundant life. Jesus went into exile to forgive sins so His sheep can return to have life in Him.
 
Today’s Reading
Ask rain from the Lord
    in the season of the spring rain,
from the Lord who makes the storm clouds,
    and he will give them showers of rain,
    to everyone the vegetation in the field.
2 For the household gods utter nonsense,
    and the diviners see lies;
they tell false dreams
    and give empty consolation.
Therefore the people wander like sheep;
    they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.
 
3 “My anger is hot against the shepherds,
    and I will punish the leaders;
for the Lord of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah,
    and will make them like his majestic steed in battle.
4 From him shall come the cornerstone,
    from him the tent peg,
from him the battle bow,
    from him every ruler—all of them together.
5 They shall be like mighty men in battle,
    trampling the foe in the mud of the streets;
they shall fight because the Lord is with them,
    and they shall put to shame the riders on horses.
 
6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah,
    and I will save the house of Joseph.
I will bring them back because I have compassion on them,
    and they shall be as though I had not rejected them,
    for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
7 Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior,
    and their hearts shall be glad as with wine.
Their children shall see it and be glad;
    their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.
 
8 “I will whistle for them and gather them in,
    for I have redeemed them,
    and they shall be as many as they were before.
9 Though I scattered them among the nations,
    yet in far countries they shall remember me,
    and with their children they shall live and return.
10 I will bring them home from the land of Egypt,
    and gather them from Assyria,
and I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon,
    till there is no room for them.
11 He shall pass through the sea of troubles
    and strike down the waves of the sea,
    and all the depths of the Nile shall be dried up.
The pride of Assyria shall be laid low,
    and the scepter of Egypt shall depart.
12 I will make them strong in the Lord,
    and they shall walk in his name,”
declares the Lord.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What in this chapter stands out to you about the Lord’s shepherding heart?
 
-Why is it significant the Lord has compassion on His people, scattered like sheep without a shepherd, as He loathes the false and selfish shepherds over His people?
 
-How does this point to Jesus as your Good Shepherd and compel you to look to Him for what your heart longs for and what your life needs?
 
Key verses
6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.